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Science News for February 2, 2014


Bariatric surgery series

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for both obesity and type 2 diabetes, offering substantial benefits in terms of weight loss, metabolic status, and quality of life. In people with type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery can reverse complications and improve end-organ health, including pancreatic, renal, retinal, peripheral ...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateFeb 2, 2014

Making your brain social

Researchers at European Molecular Biology Laboratory identify microglia cells as major players in brain wiring and behavior. Mice with fewer microglia display weaker connections between neurons and repetitive behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorders.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 2, 2014

Beneficial insects, nematodes not harmed by genetically modified, insect-resistant crops

Two new studies have found that genetically modified, insect-resistant crops have no negative effects on beneficial insect predators or a beneficial, entomopathogenic nematode. The research demonstrated that Bt proteins used in corn and cotton crops do not harm two important insect predators that help suppress pest populations.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Economic Entomology·DateFeb 2, 2014

A quicker, cheaper way to detect staph in the body

Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a non-invasive chemical probe that can detect Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the body, potentially leading to quicker and more accurate diagnoses. The probe uses the bacteria's propensity to cleave DNA, allowing doctors to pinpoint its location and detect infections sooner.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 2, 2014

Vitamin C and E supplements hampers endurance training

A new study suggests that high doses of vitamin C and E supplements can blunt the improvement of muscular endurance through cellular adaptions. The study found that markers for muscle mitochondria production increased only in the group without supplements.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateFeb 2, 2014

Tighter economic regulation needed to reverse obesity epidemic -- study

A study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization suggests that governments can slow and reverse the growing obesity epidemic by regulating fast food consumption. The study found that countries with stricter market regulations had lower increases in fast food transactions per capita, indicating a potential link between...

SourceBulletin of the World Health Organization·JournalBulletin of the World Health Organization·DateFeb 2, 2014

Stanford researchers discover how brain regions work together, or alone

Stanford researchers have solved a riddle about the inner workings of the brain, revealing a previously unknown process that helps two brain regions cooperate when joint action is required. The study used a new approach to analyze large numbers of neurons and discovered that different regions of the brain keep results localized or broa...

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 2, 2014